Narendra Modi in Gujarat: PM condemns previous UPA govt for lack of development projects in state

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the previous UPA government of having been indifferent towards Gujarat including over sanctioning of development projects.

Laying foundation stones for a four-lane signature bridge linking Okhla with Bet Dwarka and the widening of a national highway, Modi recalled the difficulties Gujarat faced when the Congress-led UPA ruled the country.

File image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI

"Despite my best efforts, I could not make them (UPA government) to wake up from their slumber," Modi said.

The Prime Minister stressed that his government on the other hand had given priority to development. "For development one needs a vision and a dream."

Modi also spoke on his government's decision to relax the GST rates and allowing small entrepreneurs, businessmen, traders and the exporters to file their returns quarterly instead of every month.

Saying that government had tried to simplify further a "simpler tax", he described the decision on relaxing GST as "advancing of the Diwali festivities for business community by a fortnight".

Modi said the decision to relax the GST provisions for the small traders, businessmen and exporters was in keeping with the Centre's promise to review the working of the new tax regime from time-to-time.

Modi, who began his home state visit with a trip to the Dwarkadish temple, said that on its completion, the Okha-Bet Dwarka bridge would contribute to development of the area.

He said merely developing an area was not sufficient unless it had connectivity with other areas. He said it would go a long way in reducing the difficulties that people faced over the years.